The UK robotic Lunar exploration programme
- Paper number
IAC-08.B4.8.2
- Author
Mr. Andy Phipps, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd., United Kingdom
- Year
2008
- Abstract
The next few decades involve a dramatically increased interest in lunar exploration for the purpose of developing a permanent human and robotic presence on the Moon, both for science and space exploration objectives. This renewed interest is broad and international, involving space agencies from the USA, Europe, China, India, Japan, Russia, Germany, UK, and others. The UK's Science & Technology Facilities Council has supported a study of low cost lunar orbiter and lander missions in 2006. This enabled the identification of low-cost lander and orbiter concepts which could be affordable within the UK budget. Support is growing for a National UK mission, preparing for a major UK role in the international programme of space exploration. A UK team has been assembeld to explore the scientific, economic and educational / outreach benefits of such a mission. An example is MoonLITE, which would carry several miniaturised scientific payloads to the moon aiming to provide updated and higher resolution data on Moonquakes and the Lunar evolution. The SSTL interplanetary platform which MoonLITE could be based on is capable of supporting as number of experiments to the Moon, and communications relay and navigation demonstration payloads to demonstrate future support for international missions has been studied in relation to a Joint Working Group between NASA and the UK. This paper will explore the potential of a low-cost platform to support cost-effective lunar exploration initatives. The technology readiness of the MoonLITE concept and technologies will be outlined, along with the operations plan
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
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